Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-10
A GIRL BULL FIGHTER.
Expert Work in the Ring by a
Mexican Girl.
Fro4 ne huffman Ills j a,aai.

Fran ne huffman Ills j ts,adi.
CITY OF MEXICo, Fe0. 38.-Just prior
to the taking effect OF the decree against
bull fighting, L was fortunate enough to
witness contest in which one of tie
most skillful, daring and expert oil the
professional fighters OF Mexico took
leading part. This performer was
young woman, whose equal has probably
never appeared IN the plaza de T9ros."
In this, her farewell exhibition, Senorlta
Hernandez advertised for the widest ana
fiercest bulls the country could produce,
and agreed TO fight them while wearing
stills. The novelty of young girl en-
gaging III bull night, handicapped oy
having Suits fastened to her feet was sui
fcient 10 attract vast crowd. and
on the day fixed for the event
fully 5000 persons found places to SIT or
stand in the large amphitheatre. Inc
animals provided for the occasion were
small, active and wholly untamed, eacn
having his horns trimmed and polished
until the points were as bright ana
almost as sharp as needles. Never was
more expert work done in this cruel
sport than was coOlly performed by tne
Mexican girl on that day. AS the bull,
mad with rage, would make bis furious
charge, sne would stand until he mad APP
preached within distance OF ABOUT three
feet, when, suddenly sprin2Ing TO one
side, she would, as the animal rushed
furiously by, with one hand slap hiIu IN
the face with the red cloak with when
bis anger had been irst aroused, while
with the other hand she deXterously
thrust into his neck gaudy barbed "ban-
derIlla," causing him to roar with paln
and rage. Charge after charge was made
by the madden ed brute, only to be eIuded
by the active girl, while the bull met the
same treatment as before. The little Sc
nOrita played with him, plagued him and
tortured him as cat would a mouse,
until the. animal, bleeding and sore and
worn out with fatigue and pain, gave up
the contest and would fight no more. de
had met his conqueror and was taken
from the ring.
In the next contest the fair Castillan
was under an advertised obligation, while
vet wearing the stills, 10 kill the bull
with sword scarcely more than two feet
in length. This was to be done by the
toreadora at the time the animal was
making the charge. the fatal thrust TO be
given while she was directly III front OF
and fairly facing the bull.
The animal selected for this contest
was a beautiful specimen Of his race.
Black as coal, agile as cat, savage anu
wild, he was no sooner within the arena
than he was ready for the battle. After
he had been permitted to make a charge
or two TO warm MIN TO his work, the Gov
ernOr, who presided on the occasion, gave
a signal and the bugle sounded the death
call" The senorita, with stills OF one
foot in height securely fastened TO her
limbs, received the short sword, saluted
the Governor, and, turning to her enemy,
gave a shout of defiance and waved her
scarlet cloak to rouse his anger. At
t9ls time the distance separating
the antagonists was almost 200 feet.
TOro, quiYerlng with excitement aud
paving the earth in his rage, waited for
no second invitation. With flashing eyes
and head lowered to the ground, ne
started at full speed for the object Of his
hate. The brave girl waited until the
beast was within twenty feet, Wnen,
bracing herself firmly, she held her sword
at shoulder height, ready for his coming.
When within about four feet she threw her
body suddenly forward. gave quick
thrust with the sword, and, without
waiting to see the effect of the blow,
swung quickly around and again saluted
the Governor. In the twinklin0 OF an eye
she turned to face the bull, and as she
did so ne dropped dead, SO close to her
that, without moving from her position,
she placed one foot upon the neck of her
now helpless enemy.
The sword, directed by the strong arm
OF the self-possessed girl, had severed the
spinal cord, and death was Instantaneous
and probably painless. TWAS perilous
feat, skilliuily and iearlessly perfor med,
and the slightest nervousness on the part
Of the performer would probably have re-
suited in her death. The great audience,
in recognition of the skill of the brave
toreadora, rose to it's feet, and for several
moments there was shower OF gold and
silver coin falling around the victorious
GIRL